Camp WSA for Teens and Kids

Camp WSA is back this summer at Camp Twin Lakes for 2026! We will be at the Rutledge-West campsite in Rutledge, GA. Join us from Sunday, May 24th to Friday, May 29th!

We are thrilled to share early details about Camp WSA 2026 as we build on everything we learned and loved at Camp Will-A-Way last year. The 2025 session proved something powerful: even with challenges, Camp Will-A-Way delivered a warm, welcoming setting where our campers made friends, tried new activities, and created memories that will stay with them for years. We heard your enthusiasm. We saw the smiles. We watched your kids and teens thrive. And now we are ready to do it again for 2026.

• What We Know So Far: Camp Twin Lakes has returned us to Rutledge-West in Rutledge, GA! This is the site we used in 2023 and 2024 for both kids and teen camps. Many campers, families, and staff already know this location, which makes arrival, transitions, and routines easier for everyone. The cabins, activity spaces, and dining hall will feel familiar to all returning campers!
• Families can expect the same community feel as last year, with the added comfort of a site that has worked well for our camp in the past. We also know the earlier time of year is still tough for many families. Balancing school schedules, district calendars, and travel needs is not easy. While the dates give us cooler weather, more time outside, and room to welcome campers who return to school in early August, we recognize the new schedule may still create barriers.We want you to know we hear that. And we are working to address it in the future.
• Why We Are Moving Forward: Skipping camp is still not an option for the WSA. Camp remains one of our most important programs. Camp is a place where:
  • Campers grow more independent.
  • Campers gain confidence through shared experiences.
  • Friendships form that last long after campfire songs fade.
  • Your children deserve that space. And they deserve it every year.
• What Camp 2026 Will Look Like: Program planning is yet to begin, but we will continue to build on what campers loved about CTL in 2025, such as:
  • WSA-led Music Programming
  • Water Activities: swimming, boating, fishing
  • Team Sports, Rock Climbing, and Zip-Lining
  • Horseback riding and farm animals at the farm
  • Creative Arts and Theater
  • Talent Shows and Campfires

We are passionate to work with Camp Twin Lakes Staff to deliver a meaningful, therapeutic, and fun camp experience this year, ensuring the best parts of CTL and WSA programming shine through in a balanced and adapted way. We're looking forward to building another meaningful summer camp experience for everyone who is able to attend.

Important Dates: 

• January 6th: Camp Registration and Scholarship Application Open
• February 3rd: Staff Applications Open
• March 31st: Scholarship Application Closes
• April 10th: Scholarships are Awarded
• April 15th: Camper Applications Close

Teen Camp Experience

May 24 - 29, 2026

Location: Camp Twin Lakes-Rutledge West Campus, 1391 Keencheefoonee Road, Rutledge, GA 30663 (~45 minutes east of Atlanta)

Ages 13-20

Teen Camp is a 6 day/5 night program designed for individuals with WS ages 13-20.  Campers attend camp independently and stay together in cabins with other campers & counselors. 

Campers, grouped by their cabins, will join summer camp activities like recreation, art, archery, biking, boats, rock wall, swimming, and more. Each camper will also have the opportunity to choose a WSA curated music class. In the evenings, there will be campfires, s’mores, and a camp-wide dance party!!

Registration Cost: $750 per camper

Once your registration is complete, within 3 business days, you will receive an invoice from the WSA with information about installment plans, add-ons, and a link to payment.

For campers over the age of 18, you will also receive a link to fill out information to complete a background check.

Kid Camp Experience

May 24 - 29, 2026

Location: Camp Twin Lakes-Rutledge West Campus, 1391 Keencheefoonee Road, Rutledge, GA 30663 (~45 minutes east of Atlanta)

Ages 6-12

Kids Camp is a 6 day/5 night program designed for individuals with WS ages 6-12. Campers attend camp with one parent or caregiver and stay together in cabins with other campers & their parents. 

During the day, campers and their parents will participate in summer camp activities like archery, biking, boats, rock wall, swimming and more. There will be trained therapists and certified staff to work with campers and their parents on using proven therapy techniques they can take home and use in their community. In the evenings, there will be campfires, s’mores, and a camp-wide dance party!!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible camp experience. Go to williams-syndrome.org/camps for more details, and we’ll see you at Whispering Trails! 

Registration Cost: $750 total for camper and 1 parent

Once your registration is complete, within 3 business days, you will receive an invoice from the WSA with information about installment plans, add-ons, and a link to payment.

For parent/caregivers over the age of 18, you will also receive a link to fill out information to complete a background check.

Due to the generous support of committed members of the WSA community, we have scholarships funds available for our 2026 WSA Teen and Kid Camp Experiences. The maximum award to offset the cost of camp is up to $750 per awardee. In order to apply for 2026 camp funding, you must:

• Experience Williams syndrome & be between the ages of 6 and 20
  • Ages 6-12 will need to be able to attend with a caregiver (no cost for the caregiver)
  • Ages 13-20 will need to be able attend independently
• Be a current WSA member (membership is complimentary) Join or renew your membership now
• Have financial need*

*For purposes of these scholarships, financial need means being under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For example, Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of 4 is an income of $31,200/year. Therefore, 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for a family of 4 in the 48 contiguous states is an annual income of less than $62,400. If your family meets this criteria, please feel free to apply! Documentation of financial need is not required for application submission but may be requested during the WSA's annual audit. 

The Williams Syndrome Association only accepts applications to work at our camps. For volunteering and working at the non-WSA camps, visit their websites directly.

Staff Needed: Certified Professionals, Counselors, CIT's, and Jr. Counselors

Licensed/Certified Professionals: Certified Professionals will utilize their therapeutic knowledge to help support our campers in a way that will help them enjoy camp to the fullest and gain tools to apply in their everyday life. Outside of groups, they will engage in all camp activities and may be asked to facilitate other programming - leading activities, supporting music activities, and leading campfire songs. We are interested in hiring individuals with one of the following licenses and/or certifications: Adaptive Physical Educator, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Intervention Specialist, Music Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Recreational Therapist, or Speech Therapist. Experience working with individuals with Williams Syndrome is preferred, but all applicants will be considered. 

Senior Counselors: Senior Counselors fulfill all regular counselor duties but are usually considered veteran counselors, having significant experience with both the disability community and providing individualized supports to diverse individuals. These counselors are generally returning counselors and most often siblings of a person with WS or professionals in the disability community.

Want to come to camp as a volunteer?

We are seeking volunteer counselors for both Camp Programs! Counselors are the heart of camp and support campers in their activities! If you are interested in volunteering at camp, please apply below!

Volunteer Counselors: Counselors support all programming as scheduled. During special events, like evening programming, these counselors are essential for camper supervision and “crowd control”. Counselors often have the best opportunity to make camp magic happen, building deep connections with their cabins and helping campers feel at home. They are actively involved in facilitating cabin life and supporting all camper needs. 

Jr. Counselors: Junior Counselors are individuals who love someone or are a sibling of someone with WS. They are still learning the full responsibility of a camp counselor. They are not left alone with campers, but are responsible for supporting camper needs and supporting the success of all activities. 

Counselors in Training: Counselors-in-Training are individuals who are still learning the full responsibility of a camp counselor. They are not left alone with campers, but are responsible for supporting camper needs and supporting the success of all activities. Individuals may be a CIT for a maximum of 5 years. In order to apply to be a Counselor in Training, you must: 

• Be diagnosed with Williams syndrome and have previously attended Whispering Trails Camp Programs
• Be at least 23 years old and graduated from camp 2 or more years ago
• Be able to independently manage your personal care and follow a daily schedule
• Have previous volunteer or job experience

Like last year, Camp WSA 2026 will still take place at the end of May. However this year, we will be at Camp Twin Lakes - West in Rutledge, Georgia. While the location has changed, the timing and the heart of camp remain the same.

In November 2024, our partners at Camp Twin Lakes shared several changes that affected our camp sessions beginning in 2025.

For the 2025 session, Camp Twin Lakes hosted us at a different location, Camp Will-A-Way in Winder, Georgia. It is about the same distance from the Atlanta airport and close to Athens. The site is a more established campground with additional trees and character, and all cabins and amenities meet current needs and regulations.

Our camp week also shifted to late May, with the 2025 session held May 25 to 30. We know this meant some campers were still in school, while others who return to school earlier in August were able to attend. The earlier dates also brought cooler weather and more comfortable outdoor conditions.

We know change can be hard, especially with less planning time and some shifts in staff availability. What did not change was our commitment to camp. Camp WSA remains a place where campers build friendships, gain confidence, and grow more independent. Parents and caregivers can trust that their kids are supported, engaged, and cared for in an inclusive environment.

In recent sessions, we leaned into classic camp activities like boating, fishing, rock wall climbing, zip lining, and time at the farm. While some therapy-focused programming and organized music sessions stepped back, fun, exploration, and independence-building stayed front and center, with therapeutic support and music woven in.

Campers continued to experience the spirit and community they know and love. By working closely with the Camp Twin Lakes team, we were able to offer new activities and memorable experiences while staying true to what makes Camp WSA special.